Boris Johnson’s global Britain collides with global reality

In early February, just after leaving the European Union and before Britain was engulfed by the coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared his country ready to make its mark on the world again. The U.K. was embarking on a “great voyage” to champion free trade, he said in a speech in London. While not wishing to exaggerate British influence, he warned against downplaying “the eagerness of our friends around the world to hear once again our independent voice.” Barely six months later, free trade is falling victim to protectionism as Covid-19 ravages economies and sharpens geopolitical rivalries. The government is tangling with China over Hong Kong and with Russia over alleged meddling...